Evaluating the Commercialization Factor and Functionality of an E-fuel-Biofuel Blend in Internal Combustion Engines

https://doi.org/10.65161/recfeFIZBlE3LSkfd

The world is currently facing an environmental dilemma. Industries and governments globally must decide between maintaining relatively low transportation prices at the expense of atmospheric CO2 emissions, and upheaving current transportation infrastructure to pave the way for environmentally friendly alternatives, like electric vehicles. Electrofuels (e-fuels) are synthesized hydrocarbon chains, produced through the Fischer-Tropsch process, and have the potential to be carbon-neutral when produced using green energy sources. E-fuels function in internal combustion engines without modification, and are therefore deemed “drop-in fuels.” Due to the energy-intensive nature of the Fischer-Tropsch process, electrolysis, and carbon capture, e-fuels are economically unviable. Blending e-fuels with biofuels, combustible materials derived from organisms, alleviates the energy and cost burden of using e-fuels. An electrofuel biofuel blend (e/biofuel) has the potential to overcome economic shortcomings while maintaining the carbon neutrality of the fuel and compatibility with current combustion engines. However, biofuel’s characteristics differ from e-fuels, creating blending limits based on the acceptable deviation for viscosity, density, octane/cetane rating, and flash point. Calculating the cost of e/biofuels using renewable energy, examining blending limits, and assessing the advantages and disadvantages of this fuel are requisite to understanding the commercial and functional viability of this promising technology.